Uganda are the silver medalists in the concluded CAF African Schools Football Championship after losing out to Senegal 5-4 in post-match penalties whilst Ghana successfully defended their girls’ title with a 9-8 victory in post-match spot kicks Burkina Faso.

Losing out on Winner prize money of $300,000 Uganda who were represented by St Mary’s Kitende take home  $200,000.

The first half of 20 Minutes ended in a deadlock with limited chances . It was the second half that produced opportunities for both sides with Uganda’s Shakur Ngobi blasting just over the bar from close range after being set up by Owen Mukisa. Ugandan goalkeeper Imran Ssebbale would then produce a fine save from Mamadou’s half volley to keep the match even.

The match would end in a draw and winner determined by post-match penalties. It was a similar ending for the girls category as Ghana successfully defended their girls’ title with a 9-8 victory in post-match spot kicks over fellow West Africans Burkina Faso after a goal-less draw.

The competition finals held at Ngoni stadium in Harare city, Zimbabwe was graced by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and other dignitaries and is the fourth edition of the African Schools Programme that was launched way back in 2022.

CECAFA reigning Boys champions Uganda have advanced to the semi-final stage at the on-going CAF African Schools Football Championship 2026 Continental Finals in Harare, Zimbabwe.

After kick starting their Group A campaign with a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on Monday, Uganda picked wins against DR Congo and Morocco to advance with 7 points.

In their second match of the Championship Uganda humbled DR Congo 6-0 with Owen Mukisa scoring a hat-trick, while Musa Kironde, Ivan Kakinda and Emmanuel Opio also got their names on the score sheet.

Uganda defeated Morocco 3-0 in the last group match with Lucky Wanyama scoring a race, and Owen Mukisa finding the third goal.

CECAFA’s second representatives in the Boys category and 2025 continental champions Tanzania failed to make it to the knock out stage after conceding late to draw 1-1 against Benin in a Group B match played at the Gateway High School.

On Monday Tanzania had kick started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Zambia, and later suffered a 3-2 defeat to group leaders Senegal.

In the Girls category Tanzania collected their first Group B win after seeing off Guinea 1-0. The Tanzania team that lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso and 2-1 to Ghana on Monday will now play classification matches on Wednesday.

Winners of the Continental Finals of the CAF African Schools Football Championship in both the boys and girls categories each receive US$300 000, with runners-up receiving US$200 000, while third-place finishers each receive US$150 000. The cash prizes are however geared towards development at the various schools.

CECAFA representatives Tanzania and Uganda recorded mixed results on Day 1 of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Tanzania, the Boys African continental reigning champions kicked started their Group B campaign with a 1-1 draw against Zambia, but lost 3-2 in their second match against Senegal.

In the Group A matches CECAFA Boys reigning champions Uganda settled for a 1-1 draw against hosts Zimbabwe in another match played at the Gateway High School. Bashir Edema netted Uganda’s sole goal.

It was a bad day in office for Tanzania’s Girls team who lost two Group B matches. Tanzania suffered a 2-0 defeat to Burkina Faso, and later a 2-1 loss to Ghana.

Action returns on Tuesday with Uganda Boys team playing two vital matches against DR Congo and table leaders Morocco. Tanzania will also have a Group B match against Benin.

Tanzania’s Girls team who are already disadvantaged after losing two matches on Day 1 will be up against Guinea in a Group B match.

The ranking matches will be played on Wednesday, while the semi-finals are scheduled for April 9^th and the finals the next day.

Day 1 Results

BOYS

Group A

Morocco 6 – 1 DR Congo

Zimbabwe 1 – 1 Uganda

Group B

Senegal 1 – 0 Benin

Tanzania 1 – 1 Zambia

Tanzania 2 – 3 Senegal

GIRLS

Group A

Zimbabwe 2 – 2 Morocco

Zambia 3 – 1 DR Congo

Group B

Tanzania 0 – 2 Burkina Faso

Ghana 6 – 0 Guinea

Ghana 2 – 1 Tanzania

CECAFA representatives Uganda and Tanzania are set to kick start their campaigns in the CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental finals which start in Zimbabwe on April 6^th.

The Boys defending champions Tanzania will face Zambia in their opening Group B match, and later take on Senegal the same day.

Uganda, the CECAFA Boys reigning champions will take on hosts Zimbabwe in a Group A afternoon match at the Gateway High School play ground.

In the Girls category Tanzania will have an early morning Group B match against Burkina Faso.

The top two teams in each of the groups will advance to the semi-finals of the competition to be played on April 9th.

Besides action on the pitch CAF is also conducting Capacity Building Programmes in focusing on areas such as coaching, refereeing, and youth development.

Boys

Group A: Morocco, DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Uganda

Group B: Senegal, Benin, Zambia, Tanzania

Girls

Group A: Zimbabwe, Morocco, Zambia, DR Congo

Group B: Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea